A Crown Point motorist was cited on Tuesday after rear ending a second vehicle on I-80 in Lake County in what the Indiana State Police said was a case of distracted driving.

According to police, at 9:51 a.m. Matthew S. Manoski, 32, was traveling on I-80 at the 8 mile marker, west of Grant Street, when he looked down to adjust his radio. When he looked up again, traffic had slowed and he rear ended a work van driven by John Nadolski, 48, of Portage, police said.

Nadolski was transported to Methodist Hospital in Gary for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Manoski—who was not injured—was cited for following too closely.

The ISP issued this reminder to motorists: “Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and other motorist safety.”

Distractions include the following, police said:

•Texting.

•Using a cell phone or smartphone.

•Eating and drinking.

•Talking to passengers.

•Grooming.

•Reading, including maps.

•Using a navigation system.

•Watching a video.

•Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player.

“Because looking away from the road ahead of you requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.”

Posted 8/8/2012